The Coalgate Courier (Coalgate, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1917 Page: 2 of 8
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1
THE COALGATE COURIER
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The Quarter
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Art Indian Reservation Tale by ROBERT 'AMES BENNET r
CD
FOLLOWING the killing of Agent Nogen and threats of an outbreak
among the Indians Capt Floyd Hardy U S A goes to Lakotah
reservation as acting agent to quell the trouble He Is wounded
from ambush and falls in love with Marie Dupont who nurses him
8he neither accepts nor refuses his proposal of marriage because she
and Vandervyn are Intimates Hardy learns the Indians are disaf-
fected because Marie’s father Jacques Dupont a wily post trader
and Reginald Vandervyn agency clerk and nephew of Senator Clem-
mer have cheated them In an Illegal tribal mine deal and purposes
to right the wrong He makes friends with the tribesmen and calls a
council at the mine What occurs there — how desperate conspirators
work against the captain — Is told In this Installment
CHAPTER XIV— Continued
Hardy was greeted with a murmur
of welcome and admiration and the
crowd made a path through thejjr
midst to the inner ring of the chiefs
Followed by Redbear Vandervyn and
Oinna he walked along the passage
between the living walls of silent
furtlve-eyed Indians and seated him'
self on the blanket that had been
spread for him beside old Tl-owa
konza Shortly before the start down
Into the valley Vandervyn had again
borrowed his sqperlor’s writing pad
and fountain pen He now sat down
at Hardy’s shoulder with the pad and
pen ready
After a ceremonious silence the
head chief’s crier announced the pur-
pose of the council This was fol-
lowed by declamations from three or-
ators whose main purpose seemed to
be to give an exhibition of their abil
tty in painting word pictures When
they had finished Tl-owa-konza arose
and warmed the hearts of his people
with an Impassioned eulogy of their
new friend the chief of the Long-
knives who had come to be a father
to the tribe
Hardy then explained the good that
tad resulted on other reservations
from the taking of land In severalty
and advised that the council name a
delegation of chiefs to go nt once to
Washington and ask for the -confirmation
of the new treaty More than
once daring Redbear’s interpretation
of the acting agent’s statements Oinna
betrayed surprise Tl-owa-konza no-
tlced this sooner than Hardy ' He
spoke to his granddaughter The girl
cast a timid look at Vandervyn and
hesitated
Her brother smiled cunningly and
said: “It’s aU right Tell him”
“What’s thatt’ queried Hardy
“Nothing — nothing sir” quavered
the girl “Only Charlie — he added
something to what you said’
“I put in that you and Mr Van
would try to get them big pay for
the mineral lands” boldly explained
Redbear ‘
"Surely you’ve no objection to that
captain” remarked Vandervyn
“Was that all I” Hardy asked the
girl
"Yes sir He only — ”
“Very well I have no objection to
the statement But I now must de-
cidedly insist upon an exact inter-
pretation of what I say Miss Red-
bear you will tell me at once If your
brother either falls to Interpret what
I tell him or makes any additions — ”
"Ye-s sir If — ” faltered Oinna Her
covert glance of appeal met with a
reassuring smile from Vandervyn She
ventured to look up at Hardy and her
voice became steadier: “Yes Blr of
course Only Charlie was just trying
to help and he won’t do it again”
Hardy resumed his explanations and
advice When he had finished several
more orators had to exhibit their elo-
quence The council then proceeded
to accept the acting agent’s advice and
name a delegation As Ti-owa-konza
insisted that he was too old to ven-
ture so long a journey among the
white men five of the younger sub-
chiefs and headmen were chosen to
represent the tribe
During the closing ceremonies of
the council Vandervyn leaned forward
beside Hardy and shownl him an ab-
breviated but accurate memorandum
of the proceedings
“It’s as well to have these things
In black and white” he suggested
“We could get the chiefs to sign this
before the council breaks up”
"Very good A record may be valu-
able for future reference" agreed
Hardy
He rapld'y read the writing Inter-
polated a few words added a line
and gave It to Redbear to interpret
When the council acknowledged the
accuracy of the memorandum Hardy
signed It and asked the chiefs to add
tbelr marks with Redbear and Oinna
acting as witnesses At this Vander-
vyu volunteered to serve as penman
and officiously ordered Redbear to
bring the chiefs over to a nearby
bowlder where they could more con-
veniently make their marks on the
paper
Hardy offered no objection to this
The council had finished Its work and
there was nothing suspicious about
Vandervyn’s suggestion that the
bowlder would afford an easy place
for the chiefs to sign He rose and
returned to bis mare while the crowd
flocked off to the bowlder after their
chiefs He did not see Vandervyn
fay out two papers on the top of the
' 's
rock nor did he hear the smooth ex-
planation tlut the agent 'wanted the
chiefs to sign two copies of the memo-
randum This statement was unhesi-
tatingly interpreted by Redbear and
the chiefs who knew by experience
thut most agency papers were signed
In duplicate made tbelr crosses and
thumb-prints as fast as Vandervyn
wrote their names on the two papers
Oinna ventured to whisper to her
brother that the papers did not look
alike He hastily repeated the remark
to Vandervyn The girl cringed close
to her grandfather But Vandervyn
showed no anger He smiled at her
In a manner that brought a blissful
glow Into her soft eyes and explained
that one paper gave the proceedings
of the council In full while the other
consisted of brief notes He then mur-
mured to her something that at first
brought a shadow Into her joyous face
but in the end left her radiant with
happiness
When the leading men of the tribe
had signed the papers and Redbear
and Oinna had attested as witnesses
Vandervyn thrust the documents into
his pocket and went to rejoin Hardy
As he hnnded over the paper that
Hardy had signed he remarked that
if there was no objection Redbear
and his sister would remain in the
mountains with their grandfather un-
til word should be received from the
government for the tribal delegation
to come on to Washington
“You are ready to return to the
agency with me?" asked Hardy
“We can start at once If you wish"
assented Vandervyn
“Very well” said Hardy “The’ girl
shah remain here and you will come
with me”
Vandervyn shrugged smiled good-
humoredly and vaulted into his sad-
dle Still doubtful of his companion
Hardy took the ponies of Redbear and
Oinna In lead and rode over to where
the brother and sister stood In the
midst of their grandfather’s immedi-
ate family When the girl confirmed
Vandervyn’s statement that she wished
to remain In the mountains he took
ceremonious leave of the noble old
chief and rode off to rejoin his party
During the brief lntervnl Vander-
yyn’s gay humor had disappeared He
met Hardy with a frown and held out
one of the letters that he had written
that morning Seeing that it was ad-
dressed to himself Hardy tore open
the envelope and read the brief note
within —
‘So” he said fixing the younger
man with a level glance “your res-
ignation — to take effect at once It is
dated yesterday”
“It would have been dated and pre-
sented a week ago if I’d had the
slightest idea you were going to Insult
I've Had Enough of Your Bullying”
me as you did yesterday” Vandervyn
burst out angrily “You’d have had it
on the spot If I could hnve brought my-
self to borrow your pen nnd paper”
“I see" snld Ilardy He' reflected a
moment nnd remarked : "There seems
to be no reason why I should hot ac-
cept' your resignation if you ihslst
upon my acting on it"
“I do” snld Vandervyn “I’ve had
enough of your bullying I’m a free
man now — not your clerk"
“You will change your tone sir If
you wish to ride In my company” snld
Hardy with a cool self-control that
checked the other’s anger
“Gad I If only you weren’t such a
self-righteous prig!” exclaimed the
younger man “You’re so sure yon
breed f
can show cards and spades to the an-
gels 1 I’m out for the good things of
life and I make no bones over it But
that doesn’t prevent me from being a
blooming benefactor as well If you
wish to know the real reason why I’m
resigning it’s because I have planned
to go on to Washington with the dele-
gation and pull wires to get the tribe
a big slice of graft for tbelr mineral
lands”
Hardy saw the frank sincerity In his
companion’s eyes and responded to
the assertion with an Instant apology:
“Mr Vandervyn I beg your pardon
for misjudging you At times your
conduct has been ill-advised -but
no longer doubt your good intentions”
“It takes an officer and gentleman to
eat crow as If It were quail!” rallied
Vandervyn with seemingly genial sar-
casm “Do I understand that my res-
ignation Is accepted?”
“If you Insist”
“I do Now that Is settled We
make the return trip as equals” said
Vandervyn and as If freed from all
rancor by the thought he flell into a
mood of suave gayety
CHAPTER XV
I
A Lever’s Premise
When midafternoon of the next day
the two white men and the pair of In-
dian police emerged from the canyon
of Sioux creek into the agency valley
Vandervyn was still as gay and good-
humored as at the start of the Jour-
ney He even volunteered to Inter-
vene for Hardy with Marie
“It is very kind of you to make the
offer” replied Hardy In rather a stiff
tone “If Dupont is at home may I
ask you to send him to the office?”
“Certainly” replied Vandervyn and
all the way down to the agency he
chatted genially When they came to
the level behind the warehouse he
waved his hand In friendly parting
“S’long See you later Be sure to
chop off your whiskers In time for
supper You’ll need to look your
best”
Dupont soon clumped Into ’the
agency office fairly oozing with Jovial
friendliness
“Howdy! Howdy Cap I” he greet-
ed “Marie she says she'll look to
see you at supper Mr Van says you
wanted to see me Anything I can
do Cap just call on me I’m ready
to call quits now If you are”
Hardy accepted the proffered hand
and exchanged a cordial grip
“This pleases me very much Du-
pont” he responded “We will all
now work together for the tribe I
give you my best wishes that you
may win the mine”
“We got a fair show to seeing as
how you ain't going to let on about it
In your report Now Just tell me
what 1 can do for you”
"Merely a few words as interpre-
ter" said Hardy “I wish one of tb
police at once to ride over to the
railroad with these telegrams and let
ters The sooner1 I receive instruc-
tions to send the delegation to Wash-
ington the better”
“That’s no lie Mr Van says the
money can’t be appropriated till con-
gress meets but the treaty is fixed up
so’s the amount enn be settled on and
the reservation ordered divided up by
the treaty commission”
“Ah 1” exclaimed Hardy “We may
get the agricultural lands allotted in
time for the planting of winter wheat
Come we will send off these tele-
grums and letters”
Since the return of the party from
the mountains not one of the police
but was more than willing to serve
the new agent Two of the vounger
men were soon cantering away down
the valley on their best ponies proud
of the fact that they had been chosen
to make the night ride to the railroad
Hardy returned to the office with
Dupont and became deeply absorbed
in discussing ways and means for the
development of the Indians as farm-
ers When Dupont noted the hour
there seemed scarcely time for even
one of the captain’s quick-change toi-
lets Yet he appeared at the door of
the Dupont house spick and span and
his beard clean shaven without hav-
ing required his hostess to wait sup-
per hulf a minute
As he entered In response to Du-
pont’s hospitable bellow there was p
perceptible hesitancy in his manner
Marie was seated at the far end of roe
room near Vundervyn She rose and
came forward to greet Hardy her chin
proudly uptllted
“There seems to hove been a gen-
eral misunderstanding of motives
captain” she remurked with frank di-
rectness “I still consider thut you
were unduly harsh but I now under-
stand that you meant well and per-
haps had some excuse Reggie says
that we are all to work together for
the good of the tribe”
“It plenses me very much to hear
you sny It”
“What Interest hnve you In helping
them?” she queried evidently reluc-
tant to believe his motives unselfish
“It means a good mark on his of-
ficial record" bantered Vandervyn
“Every little thing counts on promo-
tion — like merit marks at schooL”
“You seel” agreed Hardy “I can’t
pretend to altruism I am ambitious
to stand well In my profession i If I
make a good showing when given a
detail I put merit-marks on my rec-
ord as Mr Vandervyn has so aptly
expressed it”
Marie’s challenging gaze softened
and she looked thoughtfully down at
her white hands
“Isn’t even self-sacrifice a form of
selfishness?” she murmured
The appearance of the Indian boy
in the dining room doorway checked
Hardy’s reply
During supper the girl remained
unusually thoughtful and silent - Har-
dy discussed with Dupont plans for
the Instruction of the tribe in agricul-
ture The Idea had occurred to him
that the government might permit him
to build an Irrigation system for the
farming lands of the tribe using In-
dian laborers and paying for the
work out of money appropriated for
the sale of the mineral lands When
Vandervyn chose to listen it was
with a half-amused smile that did not
always cover the underlying cynical
irony Most of the time he devoted
himself to an attempt to rally Marie
out of her thoughtfulness: Instead
of responding she became more pen
’No We Must Wait Until You Are
Freed From Your — Cousin”
slve Haray attributed the girl’s half-
somber quietness to his presence As
they left the supper table he asked
Dupont to come to the office
Marie and Vandervyn followed them
as far aB the parlor where the young
man dropped into the easiest chair
with a disgusted “Lord I he makes me
weary — all that benevolent blatter I”
“Of course he is doing it merely
to help himself his career”’ mur-
mured Marie
“Or to get the handling of the tri-
bal funds” suggested Vandervyn
“There'll be a fat slice of graft for
somebody out of all those millions'
“You really think that?”
“What else can you expect — govern-
ment on one side and Poor Lo on the
other? It's the usual thing I ex-
pect to get my share”
“You?” exclaimed the girl her eyes
widening with a look of astonishment
and reproach
Vandervyn laughed amusedly
“Walt a bit before you dig up your
tomahawk Miss Sitting Bull If
succeed In getting the tribe fifteen
or twenty millions Instead of the five
that was talked about It strikes me
they could afford to allow yours truly
nice little percentage as commis-
sion” “Oh Reggie pardon met Of course
you should have good pay for proving
yourself such a friend to the tribe”
“And to enqh member of the tribe 1”
he added his blue eyes glowing gold-
en with ardor “I don’t want all my
pay in money How about an advance
royalty in — something else?”
He had risen and was coming
toward her She blushed and retreat-
ed around the tea table
“No no” she remonstrated “I told
you we must wait until — until you are
freed from your — cousin”
“Walt?” he rejoined ' “You’re try-
ing to play me against that ' tinfoil
hero Do you think I’m going to stand
for that? I'll have to go on at once
and fix things so that the delegation
will not have to hang round the capl-
tol all winter”
“You will have to leave before the
delegation?” The girl was almost dis-
mayed at the unexpectedness of the
announcement
“I’ll have to go at once” repeated
Vandervyn frowning “I thought of
course he would have told me before
sending his messages I could have
so worded them for him that the game
would have started off without a
hitch As it Is he has messed things
up in a way that will require the
presence of a good lobbyist to pull
off the game In any kind of shape to
suit us”
“I do not like the way you speak
of It — a game lobbying” murmured
Murlc ‘
Vandervyn smiled condcccendlngly
“My dcug girl a crooked deal can
twist through the devious ways of
congress and the departments without
trouble Aa honest straightforward
matter such os this treaty needs
strong pulling to get as fur as the
president’s signature”
“But you will use only honest meth-
ods In your lobbying?”
“What else?” queried Vandervyn
his eyes wide and guileless “I wish
to earn my commission all free and
above-boqrd You need not be sur-
prised however If a big slice of graft
Is deducted from the amount appropri-
ated to pny the tribe”
“How dishonest I”
“It's the only way to get the tribe
a Just price for their mineral lands
Don’t look so shocked Miss Canada
It’s the regular way such things are
handled In all 'representative govern-
ments— ours the Canadian and Eng-
lish parliaments - the German the
French — nil the same”
The girl’s eyes clouded “I do not
like to hear you speak in that cynical
tone”
“Oh It’s not because I don’t be-
lieve In democratic government In
despotic countries the regular proce-
dure would be for the officials to take
the bulk of the appropriation and
give the tribe the percentage— or
nothing”
“I cannot believe that even your
government will permit Its officials to
rob either the tribe or the people of
the country" declared Marie “There
cannot be a majority of dishonest con-
gressmen” “No the big majority are honest
fools They are managed by means of
committees and the plea of party loy-
alty and log-rolling But that’s not
my fault sweetheart You know I — ”
“I know you’ve yet to receive per-
mission to call me that 1” broke In the
girl
Vandervyn bit his Up “You forget
I am going away”
“Back to Washington — and your
fiancee I”
“Quite true And Fm going to stay'
unless there Is some Inducement for
me to return here” be rejoined
It was Marie's turn to bite her Up
“How can you say that when you
know that I — that I — ”
“I told you how It was and why
I cannot break off with her until — ”
He stepped nearer his eyes aglow
with passionate allurement “You
know I love you only you Marie!
And you love me sweetheart !'
Under the enticement of his soft
eyes and pleading voice all her re-
serve melted ’ Instead of eluding his
advance she swayed forward and per-
mitted him to take her in his arms
He crushed her to him and showered
kisses on her Ups and blushing cheeks
— upon her dusky hair when over-
come she pressed her face against
his shoulder
He quivered with the joy of mas-
tery and possession “You are mine-
mine 1 Say It 1”
“I — I will marry you!” she whis-
pered Submissive and loving as was the
reply it struck th ardent smile from
Vandervyn’s face His embrace re-
laxed and for a moment he stood
staring over the girl’s head his lip
between his teeth
“I — love — you I she murmured
quick to sense the change that had
come upon him
At the candid confession his eyes
again glowed and again he crushed
her to him
“You love 'me! You own it I” he
cried “You are mine!”
“No!” - ' ’
With a sudden violent thrust for
which he was aU unprepared she
burst from his clasp and sprang clear
of him
“What is It?” he muttered staring
at her half bewildered
“Oh!” she cried “It was the way
you— Oh! how could you?” She
put up her hands like a child to hide
the scarlet that flamed in her cheeks
“Go please go! You have made me
tell — And I have promised to marry
you — when you come back”
“If I do come back” qualified Van-
dprvyn In a flash of chagrin
Marie drew herself up to her full
height the color ebbing from her face
Her voice was-as cold as her eyes
“Do you wish to free me from my
promt seT
“Never I” he burst out -“You’d give
yourself to Hardy He shan’t have
you You've promised — you said It'
“Not now — not yet — not until you
come back to me free from your
cousin Leave me I asked you to go”
When he perceived the look In her
eyes he picked up his hnt and left
the house without attempting to argue
She closed the door and hastened
Into her dainty little bedroom to
sink on her knees before the crucifix
at the foot of her bed
CHAPTER XVI
The Fighting Chance
Vnndervyn was up before dawn
But Marie was up an hour earlier and
sent her father over to make sure thut
her lover came for the breakfast she
had prepared for him While he ate
she stocked his saddlebags for the
trip and gave the pinto a good feed
of oats
He tried to ’ see her alone and
failed She was too clever for him
But when he went out to nfbunt she
permitted him a single parting kiss In
the presence of her father
Dupont had saddled one of his own
ponies to “ride out” with the trav-
eler As they Jogged down the road
in the dim Btarllght he bit off a
“chaw” fif plug tobacco squinted at
the vague form of his companion and
chuckled
“What’s the Joke?” irritably queried
Vandervyn
“ ’TuJn’t no Joke Mr Van Just the
same It tickles me to know you and
Marie has agreed to hitch up”
“Who sold anything about an agree-
ment?” snapped the young man
“Now now keep on your shirt I”
soothed Dupont “Marie wouldn’t
never have let you kiss her If she
didn’t Intend to take you”
Vandervyn suddenly changed his
tone: “I’m glad to hear you sny It
Jake You seo she does not alto-
gether like the Idea of keeping quiet
about our engagement — our betrothal
you would say In Canada But If
Hurdy should hear of It he' probnbly
would notify my uncle Then goodby
mine and alt”
“Uuml” grunted Dupont
“Mlue nnd ulll” repeated Vander-
vyn - “I’ve told you why I’ll fix II"
so we’ll get the mine and maybe some-
thing else — and I’ll fix Hardy 1”
‘Didn’t know you was still so down
on him Wasn’t It all smoothed over1
You been acting that way”
“Wait and see m)e rub'his fur the
other way 1 I’ll put over a game orr- ’
him that—”" Vnndervyn checked lhe
disclosure and began asking ques-
tions about the traits of the five
chlefs chosen as tribal delegates
Half an hour after sunrise Dupont:
came jogging back home his heavy-
face set la a Satisfied grin The com-
placency of his look lessened when lie-
entered and saw the Indian boy re-
moving the evidences of someone’s:
solitary meal He knocked at hi
daughter’s door After quite a delay
she called to him that he might enter
He found her seated at the foot of the
bed with a little leather-bound book
in her lap Though her eyelids were-
swolleu she met him with her usuafc
look of quiet self-possession
“You let Cap eat alone” he re-
marked “Don’t call that being hoe-
pit’le do you?”
“If he had been more considerate
Reggie could have remained until the
delegation leaves” coldly replied the
girl -
“Well we got to keep In with hlm
till Mr Van gits things fixed You see
if he gits mad and reports on us t
Washington we’ll git kicked off the-
reservation and barred from any
chance of the mine”
“Did Reggie say that?”
“Yep It’s why he says he leaves-
It to you to keep quiet about the en-
gagement If you let on about it to-
Hardy lie’s likely to git jealous and
put Senator Clemmer next That
would queer the whole deal at this-
stage of the game”
“I do not believe that Captain Hardy
would do such a thing” declared the-
girl “All right Mr Van leaves It to
you to tell him if you want to E
ain’t saying Cap mayn’t be a straight-
laced In everything else But when
it comes to being dead gone on a girl
like you and at his age toor-needn’t
tell me he won’t do his level best to-
put Mr Van out of the running any
way he can”
The girl sprang up her eyes afire-
with a flare of unreasoning anger
“He shall not!” she cried “Reggie-
is coming back!”
“He won’t have no chance to if It
leaks out about you and him going to
gtt morried”
“Married!” The angry scarlet of
the girl’s cheeks deepened to a rose
Notes of Indignation and joy mingled:
oddly in her half-murmured predic-
tion : “He will come back 1 That med-
dler shall not prevent 1”
“You won’t go and git Cap down on
us will you?” remonstrated Dupont 1
“Wait and See” she replied
When at the usual supper hour
Hardy presented himself at the Du-
pont door his bearing was reserved
and somewhat diffident Dupont who
was alone in the parlor genially bado
hlm enter But Hardy lingered In the-
doorway until Marie appeared
“Pardon me Miss Dupont" he sold
as he met her look of surprise “E
came to say that if you do not con-
sider It worth while to board me E
can make shift for myself”
“Indeed but you shall not I” ex-
claimed the girl with a graciousnesv
that brought a glow into his grave-
face “What should we do without
your company at table?"
“You are very kind to soy It”
She smiled “Where have you been
keeping yourself all day?”
“I rode up Wolf river to the falls
A canal to irrigate a large area could
he led down from there and later om
The Girl Sprang Up Her Eyes Afire
With Unreasoning Anger
I believe a dam could be constructed
above the falls at a comparatively
small cost It would convert the val-
ley above Into a large storage reser-
voir to hold the winter floods"
“You must show me your plans at
the falls themselves I" declared Mario
with an enthuslnsm more gratifying
to him than would have been a per-
sonal compliment -They
went In" to supper earnestly
discussing his plans for the betterment
of the tribe
Do you believe that Marie Is
ae crooked as her father and
lover? Wfll Hardy eventually
be able to get a square deal for
the Indians?
n
I
-A’
ar 4
ITO UK COiNTiNUtUi
i
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The Coalgate Courier (Coalgate, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1917, newspaper, October 4, 1917; Coalgate, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1762519/m1/2/?q=j+w+gardner: accessed May 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.